Four Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Dogs This Grilling Season

If you’re looking for new twists to your cookout menu, these four hot dog recipes are a great place to start!

Hot dogs are one of the best parts of grilling season. They’re quick, easy, and I literally never get sick of them. If you want to put a twist on the usual, these four topping combos are worth adding to your summer grilling plans.

I’ve been having fun experimenting with new ways to dress up a classic hot dog, and it doesn’t take much. With just four extra ingredients, you can completely change the flavor into something totally unexpected. From barbecue pulled pork to pickle ranch, Hawaiian-inspired flavors, and Mexican street corn, get ready for some super delicious mashups.

Side note, I made these hot dogs on the Current Model G2 Electric Grill. They gifted it to me which was extremely generous. I love to grill year-round, I appreciated how easy it was to use (and the fancy tech was cool to play around with). It has all-electric design, meaning there are no propane tanks or charcoal bags to deal with. The dual-zone cooking system made it easy to grill hot dogs while warming buns and preparing toppings at the same time.

The grill also delivered consistent heat across the cooking surface, which helped every hot dog cook evenly. It’s also a great option for apartments, condos, and other places where gas or charcoal grills might not be allowed.

Once your hot dogs and buns are grilled, it’s time for the fun part.

Start with the basics

For each recipe, start with your absolute favorite hot dogs and buns. Grill both to your liking, then add your favorite topping combination below.

The Smoky BBQ Crunch Dog

If your typical cookout plate includes barbecue and coleslaw, this one is for you. The combination of BBQ pork, creamy slaw, and crunchy jalapeños gives this hot dog serious amazing cookout flavor.

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The Loaded Pickle Ranch Dog

This hot dog is salty, tangy, cheesy, and loaded with crunch. The pickles add a nice crunch that balances the cheese, ranch, and bacon.

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The Aloha Crunch Dog

Sweet and savory fans will love this tropical-inspired combo. The pineapple caramelizes on the grill and pairs so well with the sweet teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo.

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The Street Corn Fiesta Dog

Topped with Mexican street corn, this hot dog is creamy, crunchy, and packed with flavor. The corn dip creates a creamy base while the tortilla strips add the perfect crunch.

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Why loaded hot dogs should be part of your summer

One of the easiest ways to make a meal feel new is by changing the toppings. Hot dogs are especially great for this because they’re affordable, easy to prepare, and work with almost any flavor combination.

These four versions each bring something completely different to the table. The Barbecue Crunch Dog feels like a barbecue sandwich. The Loaded Pickle Ranch Dog is all about bold, tangy flavors. The Aloha Crunch Dog adds a tropical twist, while the Street Corn Fiesta Dog is born from one of summer’s most popular side dishes.

If you’re in the mood to be adventurous, start with one of these loaded hot dogs and see which one is your summer favorite.